The Northeast Extension Series and Harrah's Boulevard Series -- part of the Road to Riches Late Closing Program held at Chester Racetrack -- both culminated on Wednesday, December 22, as the metropolitan Philadelphia track brought its fifth season to a close
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Island Terror ($3.60) was a no-nonsense winner in the $50,000 final of the Northeast Extension for pacing fillies and mares. Having settled off the pace on the first turn, driver Tim Tetrick brushed to the front with the three-year-old Western Terror filly past the :27.3 quarter mile. After clearing the front, Island Terror found no breathers and was nudged along by Riley Character (driven by Yannick Gingras) through a strenuous :55.4 middle half. Upon reaching the top of the stretch, Island Terror found another gear and kicked away at will to a four-length win in 1:53.1. I Lady (Jim Meittinis) rallied up the open stretch to claim second, while Adriana G (David Miller) closed ground on the grandstand side to take third.
Mark Kesmodel trains Island Terror for owner Jeffrey Bamond.
The $60,000 final of the Harrah's Boulevard for trotters saw a repeat front-stepping performance from Winning Mister ($2.80), who employed the same tactics which brought him two wins in the preliminary legs. The four-year-old son of Angus Hall opened a clear lead on mare Zitomira (Jacqueline Ingrassia) through splits of :27.3, :55.4, and 1:23.4. He had no trouble holding clear from the field after posting such impressive numbers, as he went on to prevail by more than three lengths in 1:53.1 for pilot Matt Kakaley. And Heez Perfect (Tim Tetrick) made a steady bid to claim second, while A Crown for Lindy (Andy Miller) was a late-gaining third.
Walter Carroll trains Winning Mister for owner Robert Key.
Live racing resumes at Chester on Friday, March 18, 2011 after a 12-week winter hiatus. First post for the opening-night program will be 6:30 p.m. (ET).
(Chester)